“I thought you were watching your calorieintake.”
“Nope. Just watching what I eat, and cheese is fine with my diet.” He looked me over once more. “And apparently, pizza is just fine foryours.”
His lips curled into a sly smile before turning serious again. “Okay, but I do want to prepare you for everything tomorrow, so we need to at least go over a few things. Hacksmore’s plane will land tomorrow morning, and he wants to get together for dinner and have a little chat, vibe everything out, and then we’ll sign on the dotted line and let that bethat.”
“Lord, I hate to think that he might find out he doesn’t even like me all thatmuch.”
“It’s just a formality. The Skype session was more than enough for him. Trust me onthat.”
“Oh, what’d hesay?”
“I’ll tell you when I need to get that head big again, how’sthat?”
I enjoyed a laugh, sitting at the kitchen island and having some more of my pizza while Dax devoured his wings. He discussed some of the details of the contract that my uncle had already reviewed with me before I got on the flight. Mainly about clauses, non-compete, morality, mediation, renewal…any number of things that could have come up while I was having to live my life under the confines of thecontract.
“…And now I might just have to suck your dick to make up for boring you totears.”
It was evident he’d picked up on how miserable I’d been through his wholechat.
“I wouldn’t complain if you did, but I went through most of it with my uncle, and it all soundsgood.”
“I figured, but I do want you to understand, as much as you can, what you’re signing. It’d be one thing if I were dealing with an actor or a model who’s used to this kind of stuff, but I can assure you, from my experience in this industry, it’s a good contract in your favor. I tried to make sure Hacksmore wasn’t fucking youover.”
“I trustyou.”
Dax did a double take. “Well, you shouldn’t. You shouldn’t trust anyone in this industry. It’s a dog-eat-dog business, and people who seem trustworthy are more than likely just conning you for their own bestinterests.”
“Are you saying you’re conningme?”
“What? No, but you need to be careful. I do worry about you in thisindustry.”
“Dax, I spend my life walking through burning buildings. I can handle a little danger or people being assholes. And I told you, my mom gave you her stamp of approval, and that’s good enough forme.”
He seemed to force a smile at that, but I could tell he was apprehensive, and I couldn’t figure out why. “I do worry about you,Jace.”
“It’s sweet that you worry, but I’m fine. And I’m tough. And I should look it.” I winked, trying to get him to lighten up, and I earned a laugh, which was good enough forme.
I wasn’t sure what or who had burned him. I could tell by his conversation about his mom that something about this whole industry weighed on him, but considering how long he’d been working in showbiz, I wouldn’t have thought he’d be this rattled on myaccount.
I’d survived a lot. Certainly, an endorsement deal wouldn’t be the thing to do mein.
“Yeah, you’re fine,” Dax said, shaking his head as though trying to shake his worryaway.
A part of me was offended that he felt the need to worry about me, since I could take care of myself, but another part of me thought…it was kind of cute. Reminded me that Dax was a better guy than he cared to leton.
“On that note, I think you’re all set for tomorrow, and we can get this ball rolling and make you a star, Jace Kruse.” He grinned, though the trace of discomfort was still visible in hisexpression.
“Sounds good.” I pushed to my feet. “I’ll scram and get my beauty rest, and let you get busy.” I headed into the living room, where I threw off my towel and slid back into myclothes.
Dax escorted me to the door. He had his hand on my back as I stepped out of the room, and when I turned back to him, he offered a friendlysmile.
“I’m glad you’re working with us, Jace. And not just because of theperks.”
“I’m glad I’m working with you guys too. Perks andall.”
Something about gazing into those bright hazel eyes and seeing that mouth of his reeled me right in again, and I planted another kiss on him, which was weird for me. I never would have done something like that with another lover. Not for any particular reason, but something about Dax was so goddamn irresistible. I just couldn’t get enough of touching theguy!
He kissed me back, his hand resting against my side, and I slid my hand around him, against the small of his back, pulling him to me, up against mybody.
